Scovia Miruka is a public health practitioner turned fashion designer. She followed her passion for fashion and it led to founding a made in Kenya clothing brand by the name Hawi RTW. She loves making women feel beautiful in their own bodies by making them gorgeous and well fitting clothes.
1.Describe the business – What do you do and where are you based?
Hawi RTW is a made in Kenya women’s wear brand that offers luxe fashionable pieces at an affordable price.We are based in Nairobi at Embe Creatives Lavington, Maji Mazuri Road.
2. How did the business get started?
I always say I stumbled into the business. I have made custom clothes for the longest time and would share my outfits on social media. This sparked a lot of inquiries online hence I decided to start making clothes on order. I partnered with my designer at the time and decided to register the business and the rest is history.
3. Is there a set of skills you need to run a business like this? Which ones do you have?
You need to understand the nitty gritties of fashion and design such as sketching, pattern making, fabric selection and stitching. You need to have leadership skills, financial management skills as well as marketing skills.
4. What would you like to see more of, especially in Kenya, when it comes to the fashion industry?
I would like to see more variety in terms of designs of clothing in the ‘Made in Kenya fashion scene.
5. Where did you find the inspiration for this business?
My mother is a seamstress and made a living by selling clothes. So growing up I saw firsthand that it’s a viable business if scaled properly.
6. What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced? Lessons learned?
Our biggest challenge has been streamlining production costs so as to run a profitable business while maintaining quality.
7. What has been your proudest moment/achievement so far?
My proudest moment has to be opening a physical store during the first one and a half years of running the business. That and also having our own production facility.
8. Where would you like to see the business go over the next3 years?
I would like to continue to streamline the business and open several branches across the country that can provide employment to more than 50 women.
9. What advice would you give women looking to take the leap into running their own business?
Take the leap if you have a passion you’d like to turn it into a business. It will not always be rosy but your passion and resilience will help you sail through. Running a business has taught me more in the span of two years than I learned in my career as a healthcare provider.
Bonus Question
10. What are some of your favourite fashion brands that are women owned/led in Africa?
I love Kai by Fisayo Longe and Andrea Iyamah by Andrea.
Get in touch with Hawi RTW through the contacts below.
- Instagram – @hawi_rtw
- Tiktok – @hawirtw22
- Email – hawirtw@gmail.com
- Phone number – 0112065590
- WhatsApp – +254 112 065590
